To their credit, Reading continued to look for a way back into the match after the home side went 3-0 up, Laurent Koscielny needed to make a last-ditch tackle on Pogrebnyak.

Arsenal switched off, which allowed Reading to pull a goal back as Jobi McAnuff floated cross from the left was headed in at the far post by Robson-Kanu with full back Nacho Monreal clattering into the woodwork,

Ivory Coast international Gervinho, such a frustrating figure for the Gunners, set the hosts on their way after 11 minutes.

However, despite dominating possession, it was not until the start of the second half where the crucial breakthrough came again, this time Santi Cazorla sweeping home.

Olivier Giroud added a third following a quick break by Gervinho. Reading - who squandered a 4-0 lead against** **Arsenal in their home Capital One Cup tie earlier this season - started positively, as Mikele Leigertwood headed wide from a corner.